
Why is phrenology again?
Canva
disguise caption
toggle caption
Canva
Why is phrenology again?
Canva
Can the form of your cranium or the look of your face say one thing deeper about you? Like – in case you’re a superb guardian? Or in case you’re sensible? Or in case you’re extra prone to be a legal? Nicely – the reply is not any, completely not. However prior to now, some scientists used the pseudosciences of phrenology, which studied the cranium, and physiognomy, which studied the face, to attempt to show that the way you look says one thing about who you might be on the within. Once more, it is junk science. However one thing peculiar is going on: it looks like there’s been extra curiosity currently in a number of the concepts behind phrenology and physiognomy. From “witch skulls and angel skulls,” to the cranium geometry of transvestigations, to the query of whether or not AI can detect homosexual faces – it looks like increasingly more, individuals need to categorize one another with only a take a look at their heads. Brittany is joined by Yale professor of philosophy Lily Hu and Rolling Stone tradition author Miles Klee to know the enchantment and the results of faux cranium and face science coming again round within the tradition.
Assist public media and obtain ad-free listening & bonus content material. Join NPR+ today.
This episode was produced by Liam McBain. It was edited by Neena Pathak. Our Supervising Producer is Barton Girdwood. Our Government Producer is Veralyn Williams. Our VP of Programming is Yolanda Sangweni.